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[squeaker99]

I just wanted to share that as I have come out of what was a pretty awful 3 years of Peri Menopause (cyclic monthly woes of gastric issues/anxiety/insomnia/joint aches/brain fog/twitching/palpitations) since my last period some 5 months ago I feel so much better - more on an even keel ('old self' dare I say) and without the dreaded week of anxiety before a period. During Peri I was continually trying to find a 'fix' - holistic or medicinal and I'm sure it was my my heightened hormone fuelled anxiety that made the symptoms twice as bad. Nothing worked in the bad times - I felt even more wretched on both HRTs, mad on the AD and stressed out about the CBT/exercises regime I thought would work.  One nurse said years ago when Peri dumped its load - it will pass and hopefully it has (for a bit). I do feel different - calmer most of the time. So hang in there.

[dangermouse]

Im also 5 months with no period and feeling much better after 4 years of peri hell!

I had a blood test out of curiosity and my FSH was 89, oestrogen 45, progesterone 2 and testosterone 0.8. I know thats a snapshot but Im hoping it will mean no more oestrogen surges.

The last 6 months when still having periods and 3 months after, symptoms really ramped up, particularly anxiety, so it's a relief that its all calmed down, for now at least.

[Redlocks]

I'm so glad to hear you're all getting some relief! Thanks for sharing.
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[Ellen May]

So pleased to hear that there is an end to this tunnel! I am suffering the same symptoms and at times I think they are slowly driving me mad.

Like you Squeaker99, I seem to be trying to be trying everything, both holistic and medical, but nothing works really only very short term.

[Focus]

Thank you. Clinging to this like you can't begin to imagine (well, actually, you probably all can).

I've just had the most horrendous month-long spell of anxiety - on top of the everyday anxiety I'm feeling pretty much all the time. Today I can feel the tiniest flicker of the old me. It's minuscule and I feel absolutely exhausted and terrified at the same time, but I'm also happy to be feeling it. 

This whole thing is hell on earth.

[Jari]

Great news Squeaker!

I also tried hrt (only 3 months) but it made me worse. It will be 3 years since last period this July and my M symptoms have really faded. I do still get hot flushes, now and again, but nothing like they were a year or two ago.

I can not help but feel, if I had stuck to hrt, I would not currently know that my natural M symptoms were passing and my own hormones balancing out.

I think it would be a really good idea for anyone starting out on their M journey, to make a graph or a table or something with symptoms and intensities.

For me, I am sure, with hindsight, that I had peri symptoms, I just did not think about it too much, so they can not have been too bad. Mood swings a bit and the start of irregular periods.

First hot flushes started around time of last period. They gradually became more intense and frequent over the following year and then they have started to fade. Now they don't bother me at all. I do not sleep as well as I used to, but I have found cutting back on coffee and drinking herbal tea and chamomile tea in the evening has really helped with feeling calmer.

It is interesting also that the NICE guidelines say most women's M symptoms will pass within 4 years of last period. That certainly seems to be correct with my experience so far.
It does also say that 10% of women may have symptoms up to 12 years.

Wishing you all well. X

[Shell babes]

I just read your post and it makes me feel optimistic for the very first time.  I am 51 and been on HRT and AD's since October 2019 but still struggling with low mood, bad anxiety, terrible insomnia, fear, dread, brain fog - really feel like I am going mad.  If I get to sleep (if I'm lucky), I wake at 4am, can't get back to sleep for worrying and then blame myself all the next day and dread going to bed that night. Thanks for sharing.

[CLKD]

Low mood may be caused by oestrogen depletion? though a GP probably won't correlate the 2!

Ellen May - 1 needs to continue with HRT or ADs etc. for at least 5-6 months.  With low oestrogen the body doesn't usually get where it is suddenly so ? it stands to reason that it will be a while to uptake replacement therapy ? 

[corianne]

Thank you 
I am going through Peri hell, and I wonder if it will ever end.
You give me hope, and I am so glad you are feeling better
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